Blundell's View: Portland CART.

Back-to-back races are always tough, no matter what series you race in, but at least I can go to Oregon this weekend knowing I have history on my side.

Of course, recent history hasn't been that great for Mark Blundell, but Portland will always have a special place in my heart as the scene of my first Champcar victory. That race, in 1997, will also have a place in most people's memories too, as it remains the closest finish in CART history. Gil de Ferran was less than a tenth of second behind me, and Raul Boesel not much further back again, after one of the most exciting races I can remember being involved in. I'd settle for as much again this weekend, that's for sure!

Going to Portland gives us the first real chance to stretch out legs on a 'proper' road course. With the first half of the season consisting mainly of ovals - with just Long Beach and Belle Isle thrown in for variety - a driver can get to used to just turning left all the time. Long Beach, as everybody knows, is a great street circuit, but Detroit sort of falls between two stools - a street circuit outside of the city streets, if you like.

I found - fortunately not to my cost - that Belle Isle has the same sort of run-off as your average street circuit last weekend, when I made two excursions en route to picking up eleventh place. Portland, hopefully, will be very different, both in terms of the circuit, and the result.

The Oregon circuit is not just challenging, but it is surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery that we see on our travels. It really is The Big Country kind of stuff, with mountains and rivers breaking up the usual big city monotony. It's just a shame that we don't really get much time to look around but, with fast straights and tight chicanes, there is more than enough to concentrate on when you're in the car. Portland is a real racing circuit, with opportunities to overtake, and enough variety to exercise the mind when it comes to finding the right set-up - I just hope we hit the jackpot this time.....

Detroit last weekend produced the seventh different winner in as many races this season - which is remarkable. It's not that there isn't a depth of talent in the CART series - because there is - but most people would have expected at least one driver to have won two or more events this year.

I guess that part of the 'problem' is that Juan Montoya hasn't enjoyed the sort of run he had last year, when he won three or four races on the bounce and set himself up for the championship. I tipped Juan to win in Detroit, basically because he was getting on a roll after Indy and Milwaukee but, once again, reliability let him down when he was well in front.

On a personal note, Juan's problems are good for the rest of us, because it means that the championship won't be decided until later in the year, giving those of us who should be trailing in his wake some hope of putting in a charge of our own!

Helio Castroneves' win at Belle Isle lifts him to eleventh in the table but, even so, he is just 24 points off the overall lead - that is only just over what you get for winning over here. The series is so close at the moment that almost anyone can win, and to see so many guys in the top ten who have yet to stand on the top step, but still retain championship chances, only emphasises my point.

It was good to see another new winner in the championship, because it proves that all good things come to those who wait. Helio and I have not always seen eye-to-eye this year, but he has served his apprenticeship and come close to the big win on numerous occasions, so it was good for him to break that duck.

Sadly, however, Helio's joy was marred by the news that one of his countrymen will be out of action for quite a while after a nasty crash in practice. Tony Kanaan reminded us that motorsport does have its downside but, fortunately, he should be back in action before too long.

On a less serious note, but still worrying for those concerned, both Paul Tracy and Jimmy Vasser appear to have gone off the boil somewhat in recent races. Paul hasn't scored at all in the last few rounds, and was black-flagged out of Detroit for hitting a crew man during his pit-stop. This is the sort of bad luck that can influence a championship, but Paul can count himself fortunate that Montoya has also hit problems and has yet to overtake him in the standings.

Jimmy hasn't looked competitive since his Indy 500 disappointment, and it's hard to know why someone who raced at the front in the opening rounds - and looked most likely to take Toyota's first CART win - has suddenly slipped back. Knowing the Ganassi team, however, I am sure they will have him back on the pace before too long.

If both drivers are on form in Portland, it will only add to the usual number of potential winners. Castroneves has scored the bulk of his points at Long Beach and Detroit, so is obviously looking good away from the ovals, while the Europeans among us always feel confident going into a road course event.

Dario Franchitti must be due a good result before too long - he seems to have caught some of my poor fortune - while Kenny Brack and Max Papis have been there or thereabouts at almost every event. Then there is the Brazilian contingent - Gil de Ferran, Roberto Moreno and Christian Fittipaldi all look strong - and the odd surprise package, such as the Player's cars or Cristiano da Matta.

The series remains as open as ever and you can be sure that, whoever I pick for the win, it will be someone else on the top step on Sunday.

Instead of predictions, therefore, I am just going to say that it will NOT be Mark Blundell. Here's hoping.....